Google Maps 3.2: Introducing 'Layers'

Well, looky here! Google did a major update to Google Maps for mobile. Previous version was v3.0.1.6 and the new one is a spanking v3.2. Such a leap must mean something new and sure enough, there is Google Layers a hitherto unknown feature from our overlords.

Layers allow you to add extra information to your current view, including Wikipedia entries. That's right, you can now pull down localized Wikipedia info which appear as iconic "W"s on your screen. Selecting them will bring up a lil' info bubble on that area. Other "layers" include traffic, transit and My Maps which are your personal customized maps (done via desktop). Huzzah! That's pretty darn cool.

I got this last night, and I'll tell you what, that's not the only thing they improved.

Maps used to take a couple seconds to load, even in my EV-DO coverage area using the standard (non-satellite) view. Now? Nearly instant. Perhaps it's just my device, but it was a marked improvement.

The Layers view is pretty helpful, I can actually see some of the transit routes for my part of my city without having to try and get onto the transit service's website. Just hit the layer button, turn on transit, and poof, I see the subway lines and select bus routes! (my city is not yet fully supported for Google Transit by the way.)

I really like this revision. I'll have to test it out with GPS later on, but the last renditions did work with GPS. Took a few minutes to get a lock (roughly 3-5 minutes, so be patient folks), but it worked none the less.